A good juvenile feeding schedule?

[St3faniecora]

Hey guys! Wondered if you could help me out with something-

My juvenile leo is about 4 1/2 in. long and weighs about 28g. I know he's healthy, but I have a question about how much I'm feeding him. When I first got him about a month and a half ago, I fed him mealies and then introduced crickets (once a day, about 5 small ones). Now he's bigger, and I'm feeding him more. It seems like I just can't give him ENOUGH! I just put 13 crickets in his tank tonight and he ate all of them in a matter of 20 minutes! This wouldn't be so bad, but in the mornings, he seems like he's hungry again! (Perching on his spot where the crix are usually dropped).

Moral of the story- any ideas on the "ideal" feeding schedule for my hungry hungry (but most definitely healthy) juvy?

I'd appreciate the input!

 

[Kitsune]

I always leave a full dish of mealies in with my little ones. :3
My month old hatchlings eat anywhere from 20-30 mealies a day.

 

[ajveachster]

Sounds like you are going about it correctly. Usually it is whatever they can eat in about 15 minutes once a day. They do eat quite a bit when they are growing. You might find it will taper off once he hits adult weight.

 

[St3faniecora]

Okay, thanks guys! I know that they don't eat what they don't need, so it was just a concern that he just kept eating and eating!

I put a bowl full of mealies in his tank last night, and this morning all but 4 were eaten! So I guess that's good.

 

[GeckoHut]

If you find that he is continually eating that many feeders in a short amount of time you may want to increase the size of them. A small cricket is too small for a 4 1/2 inch leo. Try using adult crickets, large mealworms, of med size roaches. This should help cut down on cost as well as provide your leo with a more sustainable meal.:main_thumbsup:

 

[St3faniecora]

Thank you! I wasn't sure if the larger crickets would be smart. ANNNDDD, can I give him waxworms yet?

 

[ajveachster]

I would only use wax worms as a treat, not a staple because of their fat content.

 

[GeckoHut]

If you already have the wax worms on hand here is a temp solution. Moisten the worms before dusting so more sticks to it. This will help to offset the fat content slightly but it is NOT a permanent solution. In the future stick with mealies or supers better nut. value and they are cheaper!